Top 5 Things to do in the Fall

Maren Naegele, features editor

Fall is a beautiful season of changing colors and a good reminder to bring out the brown boots and plaid. Minnesota residents get to enjoy the last couple weeks of 50+ degree weather, before they all turn into icicles. When winter arrives, there are many fun seasonal activities and festivals that happen all around Minnesota, so make sure to check them out before it is too late!

  1. Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze (https://twincitiesmaze.com/location/)

The Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze is a family-run operation that is open every weekend until October 30th. With the biggest corn maze in Minnesota designed with the Vikings Football Team logo and dedicated to the new US Bank Stadium, live music, hayrides, petting zoos, and pumpkin patches, there is surely something for everyone to enjoy! This festival is a perfect activity for spending the day outside and enjoying the fall harvest!

  1. Afton Apple Orchard: Apple Fest 2016 (http://www.aftonapple.com/apples.html)

Apple Fest is a festival put on by the Afton Apple Orchard located in Hastings, Minnesota (roughly 35 minutes from Edina) on October 1st-2nd, 8th-9th, and 15th-16th. It’s a fun place to learn about the 13 different types of apples on the property, as well as the different kinds of apple recipes. After Apple Fest, you can enjoy picking apples as well as raspberries and a full range of different sized pumpkins on the orchard. If you are an apple lover, then this is the festival for you!

  1. Minnehaha Regional Park (https://www.minneapolisparks.org)

Minnehaha Park is a 193-acre property with beautiful waterfalls and trails to explore during the year. It is especially pretty during the fall because of the colorful leaves and it’s a great way to be active outside, including having fun photo shoots. The park hosts fun fall events like pumpkin carving parties, halloween parties and family fun nights. You can expect to be entertained with music, games, and food, so make sure to check out the event calendar to see what’s coming up!

  1. MonsterDash 2016 (http://www.minnesotamonster.org/registration.html)

The Minnesota MonsterDash is an annual 5k or 10-mile run where participants get to dress up in festive costumes. The run takes place on October 29th and the course goes through St. Paul. It’s a fun way to stay active outside, and also to celebrate the Halloween spirit. Make sure to register soon, if you are interested in the MonsterDash!

  1. Sever’s Fall Festival (https://seversfallfestival.com/festival-activities)

Sever’s is most commonly known for its corn maze and corn pit, but what many don’t know is that Sever’s also offers magic shows, wildlife shows, zipline rides, obstacle courses, and a variety of different harvests that customers can purchase. Similar to other festivals, there are pumpkin patches and other related activities. However, Sever’s is the second oldest corn maze in the United States and the oldest in the Midwest. This added bonus adds character and charm to the entire festival. Check it out this fall season until October 30th!